Connect with us

News

Oyo State Government and IBEDC Lock Horns Over Unpaid Debt

IBEDC

The Oyo state government has sealed off offices of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company after the IBEDC disconnected the state secretariat power supply for unpaid bills.

The IBEDC has condemned the government’s action describing it as an unfair show of power and arm-twisting tactics instead of paying the outstanding bill totaling $450 million owed to the disco.

On the contrary, the Oyo State government has said in a statement that its action to seal off some of the IBEDC offices was not a form of retaliation but was due to the IBEDC’s refusal to pay tax revenue to the tune of $400 million owed to the state over the past two years.

The Chief Operating Officer of the IBEDC, John Ayodele said that the company had made several failed attempts to get the government to settle its debt which is spread across a period of three years. In his statement addressing the situation, Ayodele said;

“The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) hereby informs its esteemed customers of the retaliatory and illegal action of Oyo State Government over the issue of its huge indebtedness.

“This issue of revenue bills and personal income arising now is quite suspicious. Oyo State Government is owing IBEDC a whopping consumption outstanding of N450 million for over a period of three years.”

“No business in this country can run successfully with such a huge outstanding. The power we distribute to customers must be accounted for and paid for. We have no choice but to disconnect the Oyo State secretariat. So, it is worrisome to see that the government has sealed off our offices with this underhand and arm-twisting tactics instead of paying the debt owed.”

“This was not done in good faith and it would have a damaging effect on the business and service delivery to our customers.”

Oyo State Responds To The IBEDC’s Claim

The Oyo state government issued a response to the IBEDC’s claims through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun.

Without admitting whether or not the state was indeed owing a debt to the IBEDC, the Commissioner said that a high court order was obtained to seal IBEDC’s offices due to its refusal to pay bills issued by the board of internal revenue services.

“It is important for everyone to remember that it is the duty of all, individuals and businesses, to pay taxes and levies,”  Olatubosum said. “Without these payments, the government cannot provide basic necessities and perform necessary functions. Therefore, IBEDC like any other business interest, should do the needful and meet its revenue obligations. This is the stand of the government and we seek the understanding of the people not to be misled by those who trade in falsehood.”

Read Also: ABSU Bans Students From Driving Personal Cars To Campus

The state IRS Chairman, Mr. Femi Awakan in another statement said that the state had applied for the warrant in order to enforce payment of its tax. “It is to be noted that the IBEDC has a statutory obligation to deduct and remit revenue bills to the government of Oyo State through the Board of Internal Revenue,” Awakan said.

“It is also to be noted that the distribution company failed to remit personal income tax of its employees within the period under review and that the Board of Internal Revenue several times served requisite demand notices calling attention to the company’s tax liabilities/obligations.”

The management of the IBEDC has called on the governor, Seyi Makinde to step into the situation in order to ease power challenges already being faced by residents and businesses across the state.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

NIMC Cracks down on Illegal NIN Centres after discovering Unauthorised Enrolment

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has arrested several illegal NIN operators and seized registration equipment in Gwagwalada. Officials warned Nigerians to avoid unapproved roadside agents to protect themselves against identity theft and extortion.

If you’ve ever been tempted to register your National Identification Number (NIN) through a roadside “agent” who promised to get it done faster, you may want to think twice. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has stepped up its fight against illegal NIN registration and unauthorised data modification, arresting several suspects during an enforcement operation in Gwagwalada and other locations.

The Commission said officers from its Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement Unit (ICEU) carried out the operation seizing machines and other equipment allegedly used for illegal NIN enrolment.

According to NIMC, the crackdown is aimed at protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s National Identity Management System and stopping people from exploiting Nigerians through unauthorised registration and extortion.

The agency explained that many of the complaints and problems experienced by NIN holders often happen because some people choose to bypass the Commission’s approved registration process.

It reminded Nigerians that NIN enrolment can only be done at NIMC-approved enrolment centres, while changes to personal information, such as names, phone numbers or dates of birth, should only be made through the Commission’s official self-service modification platform.

NIMC also encouraged NIN holders to download the NINAuth mobile application from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. The app allows users to access extra security features, print their NIN slips, and manage other identity-related services securely.

Reaffirming the agency’s position, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the Commission has no room for extortion or unethical practices.

She said the Commission remained committed to providing “seamless and hitch-free NIN enrolment services” for Nigerians and legal residents. The Commission urged members of the public to avoid unofficial registration centres and use only approved channels for NIN enrolment and related services.

It also advised Nigerians to visit its official website and verified social media platforms for accurate information and updates, warning that dealing with unauthorised operators could expose them to fraud, identity theft and invalid records.

Continue Reading

News

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru to be buried in Imo State

The family of late Nollywood actor Francis Duru has released details for his final burial rites. Services of songs will be held in Abuja and Imo State before he is laid to rest on December 11, 2026. The family made the announcement in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page on Monday, November 2, inviting relatives, friends, colleagues and well-wishers to join them in honouring his life and legacy.

According to the announcement, a service of songs will be held on Wednesday, November 25, at 5 p.m. at Family Worship Centre, Idris Gidado Street, Wuye, Abuja. A second service of songs is scheduled for Thursday, December 10, at the late Pa Theophilus Ogide Duru’s family compound in Okai, Eziama, Isiala Mbano, Imo State.

The funeral and interment will follow on Friday, December 11, at the same family compound.

The statement, signed by the actor’s son, Ebuka Duru, and sister, Anthonia Chenyi, described him as a cherished husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.

The family also expressed appreciation to those who had supported them with prayers, calls, messages, and other gestures since his death. The statement read, “A remarkable life, a beautiful legacy, a star that will never stop shining. Though our beloved Chief Francis Duru has taken his final bow, his memories will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.”

The family added that the love and support received throughout the difficult period had been a source of strength as they prepared to give the actor a final farewell.

Continue Reading

News

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya remarries years after his first marriage ended

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has remarried years after his first marriage ended, introducing his new wife, Mo Jasyme, to The Fountain of Life Church congregation during a Sunday service in Lagos. Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has found love again, more than a decade after marrying his first wife, Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko, with whom he shares two children.

The senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, introduced his new wife, identified as Mo Jasyme, to his congregation during Sunday service on November 1, 2026. The announcement came a day after Odukoya sparked curiosity on social media by sharing a photograph of two hands wearing wedding rings with the caption, “To New Beginnings.”

His followers, especially popular celebrities like Broda Shaggi, Ifedayo Agoro and Bisola Aiyelola, congratulated him.

Standing beside his wife in church, Jimmy spoke about how he had been navigating life alone since taking over the leadership of the church following his father’s death. He then introduced her to the congregation as his wife and the church’s new first lady.

The couple subsequently knelt before Pastor Tunde Bakare, the General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, who prayed for and blessed their union.

Before his new marriage, Odukoya was married to Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko, popularly known as Kemi. The couple married in London on March 9, 2013, after meeting in Lagos in 2011. They eventually welcomed two children together before their marriage ended in separation.

Interestingly, their relationship began at Ooh La La, a restaurant in Ikeja, Lagos, when Kemi accompanied her cousin to meet Jimmy and a mutual friend.

In a 2013 interview with ThisDay, republished by YNaija, the couple opened up about their courtship ahead of their wedding. Jimmy recalled that although he initially paid more attention to Kemi’s cousin, they eventually started talking at another family gathering.

Their conversations became so frequent that they sometimes spoke from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.Interestingly, Kemi revealed that Jimmy did not initially tell her he was a pastor. When he eventually disclosed it, she reportedly went silent for about 30 seconds.

Jimmy also recounted how he proposed to her in London, using a sweet wrapper to playfully ask her to marry him before revealing the actual engagement ring.

However, their marriage eventually came to an end. Pastor Jimmy Odukoya’s new wife is Mo Jasyme, a designer and creative entrepreneur who is now known as Pastor Mo Odukoya.

Mo was previously married to British-Nigerian music producer Mosadoluwa Adegboye, popularly known as itsMOSA. The former couple reportedly collaborated on several creative projects during their relationship.

Mo made her first public appearance as Jimmy’s wife at The Fountain of Life Church on November 1, 2026, where she described it as an honour to stand alongside her husband.

Continue Reading

Trending